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NAACP Not Pleased With Fisherman's 'White Lives Matter' Marlin T-Shirts

KCBS_740 OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) -- A marina in Ocean City, Maryland is selling T-shirts featuring the phrases "White Lives Matter" and "Blue Lives Matter" to spread awareness about the conservation of white and blue marlins.

The NAACP is not pleased about this.

White Marlin Marina worker George Lamplugh, who designed the shirts, says he means no offense, and that fishermen know a good joke when they see one.

In stock now at White Marlin Marina !!!

Posted by George Lamplugh on Thursday, July 21, 2016

The Worcester NAACP president Ivory Smith tells The Daily Times of Salisbury that the shirts could be interpreted as a mockery of the rallying cries for African-Americans and police officers.

Lamplugh says his shirts promote billfish conservation by featuring images of marlins on safe-release circle hooks, unlike Swagger Fishing, which sells "Kill Whitey" shirts and stickers promoting non-release white marlin fishing.

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